Changed My Mind is The Depolarization Project’s podcast, hosted by Alex Chesterfield, Laura Osborne and Ali Goldsworthy. We ask guests to tell us a substantive issue they have changed their mind on, why and what they have learned from it. We work with global media outlet Open Democracy to bring this podcast to you.<hr><p style='color:grey; font-size:0.75em;'> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.</p>
Changed My Mind
Claim This Podcastby The Depolarization Project
35 episodes
Updated Weekly
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Podcast Overview
Changed My Mind is The Depolarization Project’s podcast, hosted by Alex Chesterfield, Laura Osborne and Ali Goldsworthy. We ask guests to tell us a substantive issue they have changed their mind on, why and what they have learned from it. We work with global media outlet Open Democracy to bring this podcast to you.<hr><p style='color:grey; font-size:0.75em;'> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.</p>
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Publishing Since
11/13/2018
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Recent Episodes
July 22, 2026
Why I Lost Faith in the BBC: Nihal Arthanayake on Diversity and Leadership
<p>After a 23-year career at the BBC, award-winning broadcaster Nihal Arthanayake changed his mind about the institution's capacity for change.</p><p>In this episode of Change My Mind, Nihal speaks candidly with hosts Ali Goldsworthy, Laura Osborne, and Alex Chesterfield about his decision to leave public service broadcasting for a new role as Chief Storyteller at a major tech firm. He details the growing frustration and isolation he experienced as a person of colour at BBC North, explaining why he believes the corporation is currently "cosplaying at diversity" rather than enacting meaningful cultural shifts.</p><p>The conversation examines the heavy personal toll of speaking out against institutional norms, the differences between genuine corporate accountability and public sector management, and why the political and media landscape relentlessly punishes leaders who actually change their minds.</p><br><p><strong>What we discuss in this episode:</strong></p><ul><li><strong>The Illusion of Corporate Accountability:</strong> Why Nihal believes the BBC operates on a culture of fear and self-preservation rather than facing the hard truths of profit, loss, and audience data.</li><li><br></li><li><strong>Tokenism vs. Inclusion:</strong> Nihal’s perspective on how public-facing diversity hires often mask a lack of genuine representation and support for young staff behind the scenes.</li><li><br></li><li><strong>The Backlash of Speaking Out:</strong> The intense right-wing media criticism and personal threats Nihal faced after publicly criticizing the overwhelmingly white demographic of his workplace.</li><li><br></li><li><strong>The Power of Admitting Ignorance:</strong> Why treating a political "U-turn" as a weakness destroys intellectual agility, and why the smartest leaders are the ones willing to admit when the facts have changed.</li><li><br></li><li><strong>The BBC’s Right of Reply:</strong> A breakdown of the BBC's official response to the issues raised, including their commitments to strengthening talent pipelines and reporting mechanisms.</li><li><br></li></ul><p><strong>Learn more and get involved:</strong></p><ul><li>Book a session during our new <strong>Office Hours</strong> to discuss how to navigate polarized times in your own organization: opendemocracy.net/depolarizationproject.</li><li><br></li><li>Subscribe to openDemocracy’s weekly newsletter: <a href="https://www.opendemocracy.net/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://www.opendemocracy.net/</a></li><li><br></li><li>Buy Alison, Laura, and Alexandra’s book, Poles Apart: Why People Turn Against Each Other, and How to Bring Them Together: <a href="https://uk.bookshop.org/a/8711/9781847942975" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://uk.bookshop.org/a/8711/9781847942975</a></li></ul><p><br></p><hr><p style='color:grey; font-size:0.75em;'> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.</p>
July 14, 2026
How to Disagree Better: Julia Minson on Receptiveness and changing her mind on Transitions for minors
<p>Host Alex Chesterfield and co-hosts Ali Goldsworthy and Laura Osborne interview Julia Minson, a researcher on disagreement, about building receptiveness and improving conflict conversations through practice, realistic goals beyond persuasion, and concrete language changes. Minson describes her background in competitive ballroom dancing as a metaphor for opposing perspectives, and outlines the HEAR framework for “conversational receptiveness”: Hedging, Emphasizing agreement, Acknowledging the other view with true paraphrase, and Reframing to the positive. She discusses applying these tools in schools and other real-world settings, and research questions about reputational rewards for receptiveness. Minson also shares a rapid, emotionally complex series of belief updates on gender transitions for minors, influenced by Utah Governor Spencer Cox’s arguments and later by meeting a trans woman, highlighting how minds change through human contact and context.</p><br><p>00:00 Third Rail Belief Shift</p><p>00:17 Show Intro and Guests</p><p>01:36 Co Hosts Takeaways</p><p>03:58 Ballroom Dancing Origins</p><p>07:50 Training Receptiveness Habits</p><p>10:34 How to Disagree Better</p><p>12:57 Start Small Not Hot Topics</p><p>15:53 HEAR Framework Language</p><p>22:36 Where Research Goes Next</p><p>24:47 Campaigning Incentives Tension</p><p>27:29 Changing Mind on Transitions</p><p>36:03 Environment and People Matter</p><p>38:14 Who Should Be Next Guest</p><p>38:55 Hosts Reflect and Wrap Up</p><br><p><a href="https://uk.bookshop.org/a/8711/9781398725041" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Buy <strong>How To Disagree Better Dr Julia Minson</strong></a></p><p><a href="https://uk.bookshop.org/a/8711/9781398725041" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://uk.bookshop.org/a/8711/9781398725041</a></p><br><p>Buy Alison, Laura and Alexandra’s new book, <a href="https://uk.bookshop.org/a/8711/9781847942975" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong>Poles Apart: Why People Turn Against Each Other, and How to Bring Them Together </strong> https://uk.bookshop.org/a/8711/9781847942975</a></p><br><p><a href="https://www.opendemocracy.net/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong>Subscribe to openDemocracy’s weekly newsletter</strong></a>: <a href="https://www.opendemocracy.net/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://www.opendemocracy.net/</a></p><p><br></p><hr><p style='color:grey; font-size:0.75em;'> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.</p>
June 25, 2026
Dr Emma Yhnell on the challenge of changing science, changing our minds
<p>In an era where scientific expertise is heavily scrutinized and algorithms trap us in ideological bubbles, how do we create the conditions for people to truly open their minds?</p><p>In this episode of Changed My Mind, we’re joined by Dr. Emma Yhnell, Reader and Associate Dean of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion based at Cardiff University. Drawing on her experiences running clinical trials and teaching in large university lecture halls, Dr. Yhnell explores the emotional complexities of genetic testing and the vulnerability required to challenge the consensus.</p><br><p>Plus, she opens up about her own profound shifts in perspective: why she completely re-evaluated why people at risk of terminal illnesses choose to avoid genetic testing, and the ethical dilemmas of encouraging young women into male-dominated science fields.</p><p><strong>What you’ll learn:</strong></p><ul><li><strong>The Information Avoidance Paradox:</strong> Why only 10% to 15% of people at risk for Huntington's disease choose to take a predictive genetic test, and the profound emotional and psychological reasons behind wanting to not know.</li><li><br></li><li><strong>Science Communication as a Superpower:</strong> Why making complex academic research accessible to the patients it is designed to help is just as vital as the research itself.</li><li><br></li><li><strong>Opening vs. Changing Your Mind:</strong> The critical psychological difference between completely reversing your stance and simply creating the cognitive headspace to entertain an alternative view.</li><li><br></li><li><strong>Embracing the Pushback:</strong> How intentionally creating spaces for experiential learning and critique empowers younger generations to confidently dissent from the group.</li><li><br></li></ul><p>Buy Alison, Laura and Alexandra’s new book, Poles Apart: Why People Turn Against Each Other, and How to Bring Them Together <a href="https://www.google.com/search?q=https%3A%2F%2Fuk.bookshop.org%2Fa%2F8711%2F9781847942975" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://uk.bookshop.org/a/8711/9781847942975</a></p><p>Subscribe to openDemocracy’s weekly newsletter: <a href="https://www.google.com/search?q=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.opendemocracy.net%2F" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://www.opendemocracy.net/</a></p><p><br></p><hr><p style='color:grey; font-size:0.75em;'> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.</p>
35 total episodes available
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- What is Changed My Mind?
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This podcast updates weekly.
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This podcast is available on 4 platforms including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and more. You can also use the RSS feed directly.
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No, this podcast does not typically feature guests.
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